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The medical classics state: The spleen, stomach, large intestine, small intestine, sanjiao (Triple Burner), and bladder are the foundation of granaries and storehouses, the residence of Ying Qi (nutritive qi), and their flourishing manifestation is in the lips. The spleen organ connects with the lips and governs oral breath, and the spleen and stomach are interior-exteriorly paired. The meridian of Foot-Yangming Stomach runs alongside the mouth and circles the lips; therefore, when the spleen and stomach are invaded by pathogenic factors, diseases occur in the lips. Wind causes tremors, cold causes tightness, dryness causes chapping, heat causes fissures, qi stagnation causes sores, and blood deficiency causes pale color. The treatment method should clear and regulate the spleen and stomach according to the syndrome, and apply external powders for peace. If the lips are tight, the mouth is drawn shut making it difficult to open, and food and drink are difficult to ingest, it is named Jin Chun (Tight Lips), also known as Gan Chun (Gan Lips). Failure to treat properly leads to death.

Main Formula (for Guest Heat in Heart and Stomach): Xing Ren (Apricot Seed, peeled and tip removed, stir-fried with bran until slightly yellow), Huang Lian (Coptis Rhizome), Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogon Tuber), Chi Fu Ling (Red Poria), Huang Qin (Scutellaria Root), Di Gu Pi (Cortex Lycii), Shan Zhi (Gardenia Fruit), Da Huang (Rhubarb Root, wine-fried), Qiang Wei Gen (Rose Root) (each 5 fen), Gan Cao (Licorice Root), Xi Jiao Xie (Rhinoceros Horn Shavings) (each 3 fen). Add Zhu Ye (Bamboo Leaves), decoct with water, and take orally. If lips are dry and phlegm is generated, add Shi Gao (Gypsum Fibrosum).

Duo Huo San (Angelica Pubescens Powder): Treats evil nodules growing on the lips, caused by heat obstruction in the spleen and stomach. (If lips are dry and sores form, burn Liu Lan (Olive) until charred, grind into powder, mix with Zhu You (Pig Fat) and apply; or apply He Hua Ban (Lotus Petals).)
Ingredients: Duo Huo (Angelicae Pubescentis Radix), Sheng Ma (Cimicifugae Rhizoma), Sang Ji Sheng (Taxilli Herba), Xi Jiao (Rhinoceros Cornu), Chen Xiang (Aquilariae Lignum Resinatum), Han Fang Ji (Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix), Lian Qiao (Forsythiae Fructus), Chuan Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma), Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) (each 5 fen).
Usage: Decoct the above ingredients with water, grind in Xi Jiao and Chen Xiang powders, and take orally.

Yi Yi Ren Tang (Coix Seed Decoction): Treats wind-heat in the spleen causing lip tremors. Or presents with tubercles/nodules, or edema/swelling.
Ingredients: Yi Yi Ren (Coicis Semen), Fang Ji (Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix), Chi Xiao Dou (Vigna Semen Rubrum), Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, honey-fried) (equal parts).
Usage: Coarsely crush the above ingredients, take 7 qian per dose, decoct with water, and take orally.

For swelling nodules on the lips: Use Song Xiang (Colophony) (0.5 liang), Da Huang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma), Bai Lian (Ampelopsis Radix), Chi Xiao Dou (Vigna Semen Rubrum), Hu Fen (Lead Carbonate) ground into powder, mix with Ji Zi Qing (Egg White) and apply externally.

Jin Chun (Tight Lips): Take a piece of white cloth, wrap it into a pillar shape like a finger, ignite it, place it on an axe blade, collect the sweat/dew that forms, wipe it off, and apply to the lips. Do this three times a day until cured. Old green cloth is also good. Alternatively, burn green cloth to ash, mix with Zhu Zhi (Pig Fat), and apply.

Jian Chun (Cocoon Lips): Use Huang Bo (Phellodendri Cortex) (2 liang), Wu Bei Zi (Galla Chinensis) (2 qian), Mi Tuo Seng (Lithargyrum) (1 qian), Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) (a little), each ground into powder, mix evenly, dilute with water, and frequently apply to the lips.